The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-04-17
The Masses of the Party Are Determined that
Sentimental Devotion Shall Not Stand
in the Way of Success Next Year.
Disgraceful Conduct of a Few Congress
men Now Lingering in Washington.
Extent to Which Nepotism Is Practiced by
Caliber Statesmen Who Seek Notoriety.
SHERMAN AND BLAINE.

Present Status OF These Two Leaders In
Reference to tho Republican Nomination.
speciaI to re Indianapolis journal
WASHINGTON. April 16--The. presidential con-
test of 1888, looking at it from this viewpoint
and at this moment, seems to be in what might
be termed formative condition. However.
there are one or two points that appear 20 be ir-
revocably settled even at this early day, so far
as the Republicans are concerned.
First, there is q leading and commanding SEN
timent that comes to the surface at every oppor-
tunity, which shows that the masses Of that
party are determined that no sentimental devo-
ton to any one man will be allowed to stand in
the way of the party's At the polls in the
next contest Every Republican one meets in
Washington. como from where he may. North,
South, East or West. and whether obscure or OF
national reputation. unhesitatingly declares that
the next national convention must the
whole field and then nominate the nan who can
win beyond peradventurs. In short, no man
can now be absolutely certain that he can secure
= single vote in the next Republican convention.
In this respect the situation is peculiar, and
just what it should be.
There is one other feature of the situation
There are two men. and only two, who now seem
to have chance for the nomination in 1855
John Sherman and James G. Blaine. Mr.. Sher-
man is placed first simply because his boom
seems to be developing more rapidly than Mr..
Blaine's Mr. Sherman's Nashville speech has
created profound impression on the people.
especially in the South and Southwest It was
new revelation to the people of those sections
Of the Union, and even the masses in those sec
tions, which have known him for so many years,
have hailed his speech with unalloyed delight as
. conplete and unanswerable viudication of the
principles they have sustained by their best
efforts tho rostrum and at the polls. That
speech made Mr.. Sherman one Of the very fore
most candidates for the nomination, and has
given him q prestige before the people that
seems almost decisive Of the contest.
Mr.. Blaine just now appears to be occupying a
position that is almost unique. While not exl
actly repelling the men who were his leading
champions in the nominatorial contest of 1884,
it looks almost as If. by preconcerted under
standing between him and them, they were to be
held in reserve. as it were. for the present, at
least This is supposed to be done for the pur.
pose of disseminating tho idea that new recruits
| in the cause viii stand just as good show for
| favor il he should be elected, as those who were
his leading champions in 1884 This Is shrewd
piece of strategy, for the old hands know tha,
| they will not be forgotten when the time comes
for Mr.. Blaine to pay bis POLITICAL debts. who
ever else may be. The effect Of tha policy will
be to weld tho old and tho new forces together
in a compact. harmonious mass, the new mer
laboring for what they hope to get in tho even
Of success. and the old guard lighting as Of yor,
for what they think they know they will get.
There is another popularity in Mr.. Blainei
tactics just now that has not attracted mucl
attention. and yet it is Of singular significance
He has not announced. either directly or in
directly. by himself or any friend Of his, tha
he is a candidate for 1883. II is surmised tha
this means '.wait till ths clouds roll by" an
the situation clears rp somewhat. The narrow
disappointment to Mr.. Blaine, hurting all th
more because Of the near approach he made t
winning the goal, and it is believed here that b.
has firmly determined to shun the possibility G
q second experience Of that kind. Hence j.
thought that if, when tho spring Of 1888 opens
he sees clearly that he cannot ma ke bette
race than he did before. he will decline the non
ination so far ir advance to take himself er
tirely out Of the way of other aspirants. thu
securing for himself and followers strong hol
upon tho gratitude Of the winning candidat
whoever that may be.